CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's and women's track and field teams will open the season early this year with the Middle Tennessee Christmas Invitational Saturday, December 8 at the Murphy Center.

"We have a lot of freshmen who haven't experienced a collegiate track meet," UTC Head Coach Bill Gautier said. "This will be a good learning experience for them. It will be good for the newcomers to see it and listen to their more experienced teammates."

Gautier has a large freshman class this season who will have many opportunities to compete over the winter and into the spring for the outdoor season.

The event will begin Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time with the men's and women's field events. The track events will begin at 12:45 p.m. EST with the men's and women's Mile Run followed by the 400 meter runs. The High Hurdles and 55 meter dash will begin at 1:25 p.m. followed by the 800-, 200- and 3000-meter runs. The event will wrap up with the mile relay set for a 3:15 p.m. start.

The Running Mocs will be competing against teams from host Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky, Tennessee State, Austin Peay women and the Belmont men.

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